When there is 6 or more inches of snow between December 10 and February 26, the Winter Sports Center will be open weekends only from 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. for cross coutry ski and snowshoe rentals.

Snowshoes: $5/day

Skis: $15/full day or $7.50 for 3 hours.

Hours of Operation

Hours of operation: 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., when Boston Store is open.

Current Status
Closed due to lack of snow

About the Winter Sports Center
The center, located at the historic M.D. Garage, is next door to the Boston Store Visitor Center. Center staff and volunteers provide visitors with updated weather forecasts, area maps, and schedules of park events.

The Winter Sports Center has been relocated next to the visitor center, located at 1550 Boston Mills Road, in Peninsula 44264. For your safety, the Cuyahoga Nordic Ski Patrol monitors the trails and sledding hills.

Hiking
Over 125 miles of trails are open for hiking year round.Though many trails are especially scenic in winter, the Ledges Trail, 405 Kendall Park Road, Peninsula 44264, is among the most popular due to the dramatic icicles on the rocks. In winter it is especially important to take some precautions while hiking. Obtain trail maps before venturing into unfamiliar areas. Inform family or friends of your intended locations and estimated time of return. Do not climb on the rocks at the Ledges, and stay back from the bluff edges. Always use caution where ice and packed snow make footing hazardous. As a courtesy and for the safety of everyone, always yield to skiers and avoid walking in ski tracks.

Volunteer-led group snowshoeing up a hill.

NPS/ Ted Toth

SnowshoeingSnowshoe rental is available at the Winter Sports Center and Boston Store Visitor Center, 1550 Boston Mills, Road, Peninsula 44264, when snow depth is six inches or greater. The winter sports center will be open weekends from 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., but closed December 25 and January 1. There is a $5 rental fee and a valid driver's license or credit card is required as a deposit.

Snowshoeing is recommended for nearly all the park trails with exception of the Ledges and Brandywine Falls trail system. Please note that the most challenging trails in the park often have stairs and drainage steps. When sharing a trail with cross-country ski traffic, yield to skiers and take care not to walk in ski tracks.

A group of cross-country skiers going down a trail.

NPS/ Ted Toth

Cross-Country Skiing
Cross-country ski rental, including a limited number of children's skis, is available at the Winter Sports Center for $15 per day or $7.50 for three hours,when snow depth is six inches or greater. A valid driver's license or credit card is required as a deposit. Ski instruction is available by advanced registration at (330) 657-2752.

Suggested areas and trails for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing include:

Bike & Hike Trail. Follows the eastern border of the park for 10 miles and many miles beyond. Straight, flat, and maintained by Metro Parks, Serving Summit County. A favorite section is north from State Route 303. (Cross-country skiing)

Cross Country Trail, 5249 Quick Road, Peninsula 44264, is 2.5 miles and designed for cross-country skiing. Access the trail from Kendall Lake on Truxell Road or Little Meadow parking lot on Quick Road. This intermediate-to-difficult trail passes through mixed woods and old fields. It has several steep hills. (Cross-country skiing, snowshoeing)

Ice Fishing
Large-mouth bass, crappie, and bluegill are among the fish caught in CVNP lakes and ponds. Ice thickness is not monitored for ice fishing, so be extra careful when venturing onto the ice. Thin spots can occur on the ice, causing it to become unstable. Ice fish at your own risk. Fishing guidelines follow federal and state regulations.

Sledding hills filled with sleds on a winter day.

(c) Peter Grossetti

Sledding
Sledding is available at Kendall Hills on Quick Road, about one mile east of Akron Peninsula Road. Parking is located at Pine Hollow (5465 Quick Road, Peninsula 44264), Crow Foot Gully Picnic Area (5365 Quick Road, Peninsula 44264), and Little Meadow (5249 Quick Road, Peninsula 44264) parking lots. Separate areas are designated for sleds and toboggans. Some areas are closed to sledding to prevent conflicts with cross-country ski trails.